Southeast Area Cooperative
Advisory Board Meeting
March 21, 2023
A meeting of the Advisory Board of Southeast Area Cooperative was held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at the office of Southeast Area Cooperative, Beresford, South Dakota. Members present were: Tim Rhead,
Alcester-Hudson School District; Dustin Degen, Beresford School District; Russ Townsend, Canton School
District; Philip Schonebaum, Elk Point-Jefferson School District; Dave Hutchison, Irene-Wakonda School
District; and Brett Mellem, Viborg-Hurley School District. Also present were Tricia West, Director and Ann Boden, Business Manager Southeast Area Cooperative.
Brett Mellem called the meeting to order at 11:10 a.m.
A motion was made by Tim Rhead and seconded by Dustin Degen to approve the agenda. All present voted yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Russ Townsend and seconded by Dustin Degen to approve the minutes of the
January 17, 2023 regular meeting and the February 16, 2023 special meeting. All present voted yes.
Motion carried.
The financial report as prepared by the Business Manager for February 2023 was presented: General Fund Beginning Balance: $901,061; Receipts: $177,937; Disbursements: $151,943 for an ending balance of $927,055. A motion was made by Dustin Degen and seconded by Tim Rhead to approve the financial
report as presented. All present voted yes. Motion carried.
A listing of bills was presented. A motion was made by Russ Townsend and seconded by Dustin Degen to
approve the payment of March bills. All present voted yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Phil Schonebaum and seconded by Russ Townsend to approve award the paper and supply bid as follows. Copy Paper – The Paper Corp, Rolled and Construction Paper – One Office
Solution, and Supplies – Staples. All present voted yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Dustin Degen and seconded by Dave Hutchison to enter executive session at 11:16 a.m. per SDCL 1-25-2(1) for discussing the qualifications, competence, performance, character or
fitness of any public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. All present voted yes.
Motion carried. President Brett Mellem declared the Board out of executive session at 11:38 a.m.
A motion was made by Phil Schonebaum and seconded by Dustin Degen to approve School Psych Intern
position for the 2023-2024 school year. All present voted yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Tim Rhead and seconded by Russ Townsend to approve the hire of Kaylee Fitzgerald, Early Childhood Paraprofessional for 2022-2023 and Sandi Goltermann, Behavior Coordinator
for 2023-2024 contract year. All present voted yes. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Tim Rhead and seconded by Dustin Degen to approve members of the Perkins
grant consortium. All present voted yes. Motion carried.
The Leadership Team report included:
Kindergarten Academy is June 19-20 and registration is open.
Early Childhood screening.
A motion was made by Dustin Degen and seconded by Philip Schonebaum to enter executive session at
11:51 a.m. per SDCL 1-25-2(4) for preparing for contract negotiations or negotiating with employees or
employee representatives. All present voted yes. Motion carried. President Brett Mellem declared the Board out of executive session at 12:17 p.m.
A motion was made by Tim Rhead and seconded by Dustin Degen to adjourn the meeting. All present
voted yes. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 12:18 p.m.
Brett Mellem, President
Ann Boden, Business Manager